Connelly: A $75 million federal infusion will grow light rail in Tacoma

Workers weld the final section for Sound Transit’s 1.6-mile Tacoma Link Light Rail. Service currently runs between the Tacoma Dome and theater district. It will be extended to the Hilltop and Stadium neighborhoods, and to the "Medical Mile" of hospitals and medical center.

Workers weld the final section for Sound Transit’s 1.6-mile Tacoma Link Light Rail. Service currently runs between the Tacoma Dome and theater district. It will be extended to the Hilltop and Stadium neighborhoods, and to the "Medical Mile" of hospitals and medical center.

Connelly: A $75 million federal infusion will grow light rail in Tacoma

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The short, but highly popular and useful, Tacoma Link light rail line will more than double in length the result of a $75 million Federal Transit Administration grant, which will grow downtown light rail in the City of Destiny.

The existing 1.6 mile light rail line will expand by 2.4 miles, connecting downtown to the Hilltop and historic Stadium districts, and providing access to the city's "Medical Mile" of hospitals and medical centers.

The Stadium-Hilltop extensions will put light rail into neighborhoods where a quarter of the residents are low-income and nearly a third of households have no vehicle.

"With 127,000 new residents expected in Tacoma by 2040, this project lays the tracks for accommodating new economic growth and better connecting residents to their jobs and community while helping reduce congestion," said Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.

The existing light rail has been integral to one of Washington's most revitalized neighborhoods, the area along Pacific Avenue by University of Washington-Tacoma and the Washington State History Museum.

The Tacoma Link expansion is a partnership between Sound Transit and the city of Tacoma. The expansion will add six stations, and have departures every 10 minutes during peak service hours, and 20 minutes at off-peak. It will link five educational facilities serving nearly 17,000 students.

"Not only will it provide more connection in downtown for people to reach jobs, education and other services, but the Tacoma Link extension will also spur dozens of private projects -- from housing to restaurants to professional services -- that the community has been working toward in Hilltop for more than a generation," said Tacoma's new Mayor Victoria Woodards.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., is a longtime power and sometime chair of the transportation subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Tacoma has also had its member of Congress on the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Norm Dicks for 36 years and Rep. Derek Kilmer for the past three years.

Investments in infrastructure "grows our local economy and creates jobs," said Kilmer.

It's very good news for Sound Transit, which has some South Sound fences to mend. The gargantuan 2016 Sound Transit 3 light rail expansion plan was rejected by Pierce County voters, although it carried thanks to King and Snohomish County support.

This map, included in the draft Sound Transit 3 proposal, shows existing and planned transit lines around the region.

This map, included in the draft Sound Transit 3 proposal, shows existing and planned transit lines around the region.

Photo: Courtesy Sound Transit

Photo: Courtesy Sound Transit

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This map, included in the draft Sound Transit 3 proposal, shows existing and planned transit lines around the region.

This map, included in the draft Sound Transit 3 proposal, shows existing and planned transit lines around the region.

Photo: Courtesy Sound Transit

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Opposition to soaring car tab fees, caused by Sound Transit, has also been intense in Pierce County, with Republican State Sen. Steve O'Ban assuming the role of a trenchant and informed critic.

SeattlePI.com writer Joel Connelly can be reached at 206-448-8160 or joelconnelly@seattlepi.com

Columnist Joel Connelly has written about politics for the P-I since 1973.